Latch for service boxes



Nbv.11,1930. JQLEWI 1,781,115

LATCH FOR SERVICE BOXES o i l Filed July 18 925 Patented Nov. 11, 1930UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE JOSEPH c. LEwIs, or MINERVA, OHIO,ASSIGNOR 'ro CHARLES w. KEPLINGER, E

CANTON, OHIO, RECEIVER OF THE AMERICAN ELECTRIC SWITCH CORPORATION, OF

. MINERVA, OHIO, A GORIEORATION or DELAWARE LATCH roe SERVICE BOXESOriginal application filed July 18, 1925, Serial No. 44,609. Divided andthis Serial No. 188,170.

This invention relates to improvements in entrance or service boxconstruction such as is used at the entrance of an electric line into abuilding; and the object of the improvement is to provide a latchforsealing Figure 1 is a'perspective view of the im-,

proved box, and I Fig. 2, a section through the box, showing the pivotedlatch bar in folded position for shipping. I

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

The box 1 may be formed of sheet metal,

of a size to accommodate the switch and fuses, which may be of any usualand well known construction.

The hinged door 2 is arranged to be normally closed upon the box and maybe pro vided with an opening 3 to permitthe switch handle 4 to protrudetherethrough in the event a switch of the general type shown in myco-pending application Serial No.44,609, of whichthis is a division, isused.

As described and illustrated in that application, the handle 4 may be.folded within the box for the purpose of shipping in order that theboxes may be stacked together in a minimum space without any protrudingparts. l

The fiat strip latch bar 5 is pivoted, at its lower end, as on the pivotpin 6, extending into the box from the adjacent side wall 7 of the box,the axis of the pivot pin 6-being perpendicular to the side wall 7, theapertured upper end 8 of the latch bar 5 being adapted to extend througha slot 9 inthe door or cover 2 when the box is in locked position.

This position of the latch bar is illustrated in Fig. 1 and'also inbroken lines in Fig. 2.

With the latch'bar in this position the door may be sealed againstopening by locating the usual seal through the apertured end of .wall toapplication filed May 2, 1927.

the latch bar, making it; necessary to break 1 this seal in order toobtain access to the in-" terior of the box.

When it is desired to pack the boxfor shipping, this latch bar is swungdownward upon its pivot, into the position shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawing, permitting the door 2 to be closed tightly uponthe box,enclosing the latch barentir'ely within the box.

This permits the boxes to be stacked together for shipping and since, asabove mentioned, the switch handle 4, may be folded within the box,there are no protruding parts to interfere with the close stacking ofthe boxes. t

From the above it will be obvious that a simple and eifective latchmechanism is provided by means of'which thebox may-be easily and readilysealed to prevent opening j V .70 Y to the folded position within thebox to perg '7 of the door, and which may be quickly-moved mitshipm'entof the same. I claim A fastener fora container closure member,

comprising a flat strip latch bar adapted to be pivoted at one end toaside wall of the container and extending within the container parallelto the side wall, the other end of the latch bar being adapted to extendthrough a slot in a closure member of the container,

' and the latch bar being further adapted to be swung about its pivotparallel. with said side V tainer. y

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

be located entirely inside of the con- JOSEPH o, LEwis.v

